by  Ariana Gordon

ENSURING Guyana moves away from being a “second-hand economy” and guaranteeing that the country is greener are the thrusts behind government’s move to ban the importation of used tyres, reduce the taxes on new tyres and to restrict the importation of used and or re-conditioned vehicles under eight years old from the date of manufacture to the date of importation.Finance Minister Winston Jordan said it was clear that Guyana was becoming an environmentally conscious country and as such the new measures are geared at ensuring a green economy, clean environment and ensuring that safer equipment and machinery are used by citizens. “Take advantage of modern technology,” Jordan remarked.
He explained that government had sought to give importers notice of the ban so that they could know up front that the importation of used tyres would no longer be allowed. “I said there were some procedural hurdles and once we cleared those it would get implemented. We will give adequate notice about when the ban will come into effect.”
He noted that if persons already have stocks they would be allowed to “sell out their stocks.” “They would not be allowed to import any new order for old tyres. It will happen sometime this year.”
The Finance Minister explained that government was cognizant of the fact that importers had orders and so they will be given the opportunity to have their orders completed. Jordan explained that those complaining of the impending ban on used tyres did not have a valid cry as a used tyre lasts approximately three months while a new tyre lasts approximately 18 months.
“On average they say the tyres last about three months, you pay $6,000. A new tyre will give you 18 months minimum. If you do straight-forward mathematics, (6*3 = 18, 6*6=36) that would be $36,000 you’re spending on old tyres when you could just buy a new tyre and it will last you 18 months.”
The Minister stressed that change was and would always be a problem, but as time progresses they would adapt. He said as the country grew it was only necessary that there were matching advances.
“We are going to give the lead in time in terms of getting adaptable to buy new stuff generally, new tyres, cars, machinery as we grow and as our economy expands. We have to aspire, we can’t just be a second hand economy all the time and we will grow over these five years,” Jordan told reporters.
With respect to the restriction on the importation of used and or re-conditioned vehicles under eight years old from the date of manufacture to the date of importation, the Finance Minister said his administration was aware of the fact that there were importers who would have placed orders so government was giving them time for the orders to arrive. He was quick to point out that from May 1, the restriction would be in place.
“First of all we are going to gain, not necessarily on the monetary side, but on the human side. This measure was informed a lot by greening the economy. You passed by a number of dealers that bring in these cars and they are over- flowing with these reconditioned cars. They won’t be bought.”
He noted that approximately six weeks ago the Customs and Administration Department hosted an auction and many were not even bought. The Minister said the vehicles are rotting.
“Many of these cars cannot be sold; it is a problem now, because Customs is left with them; it is a problem getting them off Customs’ hand.”
Jordan noted that the views of those opposing the restriction are emotional. He told reporters that the average person will still be able to purchase a car that is “reasonably new” if purchased under eight years’ old.
“So you have another five years of reasonable service on it and also you have the virtues of protection, brakes and steering,” he remarked.
The decision he said would have long term positive effects on the country and citizens and as such should be embraced by all. “There are so many cars in stock yards in this country and I don’t know when they are going to begin to sell them number one, and number two there is no ban, there is a restriction on the age of the car that can come in.”